Combined incandescent lamp and flasher



Patented Apr. 23, 1935 "3 UNITED STATE comma!) moimnnscnnr LAMP arm FLAsnEa Joseph Schmidinger, Long Island City, N. Y., and Clyde 0. Bohner, Maplewood, N. 1., assignors to Tun'g-Sol Lamp Works, Inc., Newark, N. 1.,

- a corporation of Delaware Application May 23, 1934, Serial No. 127,130

. '13 Claims. (CL 176-14) g The present invention relates to devices for intermittently varying the magnitude of. an electrical current and comprises a combined incandescent lamp and flasher element therefor which,

although particularly suitable for use as a flashlighting socket and may be rapidly and economi-.

ing stop light for automobiles, may be advantageously employed wherever a' flashing light is desired. The new combined lamp and flasher is of relatively simple and compact construction, may be readily designed to fit any standard the flasher elements are confined within an annular member secured about the base of the incandescent lamp.

A still further object of the invention is tov provide a combination of the above character which may be economically manufactured on a commercial scale by relatively unskilled labor.

For an understanding of the invention refer-' ence may be had to the accompanying drawing of which:

Fig. 1 is a horizontal sectional view of the new flasherf and incandescent lamp representing the preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 1a is a detail sectional view illustrating a form of movable contact construction suitable for facilitating initial adjustment of the distance between contacts I Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the device of Fig. 1 taken along the line 2-2 thereof;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating a simpler form ofcOntact arrangement;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view similar to Figillustrating a somewhat different construction of one element of the flasher; and I Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken the line 5--5 of Fig. 4. a In accordance with the invention the flasher elements are carried in an annular cup-shaped member 2 secured about the upperend of the base 4 of an incandescent lamp bulb 6. The flasher in theiembodlment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 includes a movable con- 7 tact I mounted on or integral with the armature it of a permanent magnet i2, a fixed conalong tact l4 insulated from the base 4 and electrically connected to the filament ii of the lamp and to a resistance wire 18, and'an expansible wire 20, which may be a continuation of wire l8, and which is secured at one end-to a spring strip 22. The end of spring strip 22 remote from its connectionwith wire 20 is secured, as by welding, to the container 2 for support thereby and to make electrical connection therewith. Armature I0 is secured to spring 22 by screw 24, positioned adjacent thes'ecured end of the'spring. Spring strip 22 tends to move the armature against the tension of wire 20 and into its attracted position with contact 8 engaging contact ll. Wire 20 is adjusted by means hereafter to be described, tohave a tensionsuflicient to maintain armature ID in the retracted position when no current passes through the wire but to permit attraction of the armaturewhen the wire expands under the heat generated by passage of current there- 20 through. I

g The provision of the biasing spring strip together with the permanent magnet insure substantially no sparking at the contacts and hence insures a relatively long life to the device.

Permanent magnet i2 is of such shape as to substantially fill the annular container 2 except for the segmental portion occupied by, the jarmatial portion of its length. This gives a stiffness to the spring which insures movement thereof 0 throughout its length when the tension of wire 20 is reduced by expansion and insures, consequently, proper movement of the armature.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated x in Fig. 1, a bead 26 of glass or other insulatin material is fused about the'bend or right angle at the point of junction of wires i8 and 20. The end of an anchoror support wire 28 is fused into the. bead 26 out 'of contact with wire 18-20. The

otherend of the anchor wire is passed through a small hole drilled in the side wallof container 2 in substantial alinement with wire 20. The purpose of anchor wire 28 is to support bead 2!, in conjunction with wire "-20, and to permit adjustment of the tension of wire 20 after asg I sembly of the flasher elements, as will be hereinafter described.

Container 2, while being of substantially annular form, is preferably so shaped at one portion thereof as to provide a small semi-cylindrical chamber 30 protruding beyond the circumference of the circular portion of the container and containing the bead 26. The base of container 2 is provided with a central circular aperture for reception of the base 4 of the lamp. Preferably, in the stamping of the container 2, the central aperture is not completely out out but two oppositely disposed radial strips 32 are retained which, during assembly, are bent upwardly at right angles to the base and are then folded outward over the top of the magnet l2 to retain the same in position. When the lamp base 4 is of the bayonet type illustrated, having the prongs 34, slits are provided in the container base at each side of each strip 32 to permit the bending of the strips at points which will give clearance for the prongs 34 when the lamp base is inserted into the container. Magnet I2 is of course also suitably notched to permit clearance for the prongs.

Fixed contact i4 is mounted on a conducting strip or wire 35 which is electrically connected, within the lamp base, with the lead 31 of the lamp filament 16. Strip 35 is suitably insulated from base 4 as by means of an insulating strip 38. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 an end of wire I8 is welded directly to strip 36. I

For initial adjustment of the distance between contacts 8 and i4, contact 8 may be wedge shaped, as indicated at 8a in Fig. 1a, so as to cause the efiective distance between the contacts to be varied by slight relative rotation between container and lamp base during assembly of the device and while current is passed through the circuit including wire 20.

As an alternative to the contact construction above described, the arrangement of Fig. 3 may be advantageously employed. In this embodiment of the invention the separate contacts are omitted, the end of lead wire 3! is brought out through aneinsulating shield 39 and is silver plated as is also the armature [0. A small hook or prong 40 is formed in the end of the lead wire 31 which, when the end of resistance wire I8 is inserted therein, is pressed firmly thereupon to grip the same. The insulating shield 39 is formed with an aperture 42 therein and with a projecting shoulder 44 at the base of the aperture. The shoulder 44 serves to insulate wire 31 where it is led out from the base and also, during assembly, assists in the proper aligning of the parts when the bulb is inserted into the base. The silver plated end of lead 31 is brought out through the aperture 42 and bent, preferably while wire I8 is being'pressed within the hook 40, into an outstanding loop engageable by the silver plated armature.

The operating distance between armature l0 and the looped portion of wire 31 may be varied during assembly either by relative rotation between the container and the lamp base while current is passed through wire 20, or by varying the shape of the loop tocause more or less extension thereof in the direction of motion of the armature. effected by the combination of spring biasing means and permanent magnet, as heretofore described, makes possible, it is believed, the use of this simpler form of contact arrangement, name- The substantial elimination of sparking ly the silver plating of the contacting parts with the consequent omission of the usual silver contact points.

In assembling the combined flasher and lamp the spring strip 22 carrying the armature in and having the end of wire 20 secured thereto, is first secured within the container 2. The anchor wire 28, which, together with bead 26, has been previously secured to wire 20, is then threaded through the aperture in the casing wall. The magnet I2 is then dropped into position over the upwardly bent strips 32 and these strips are bent outwardly over the magnet. The container and parts therein are then slipped upwardly over the prongs 34 of the lamp base into the position indicated in Figs. 2 or 3. Wire i8 is then threaded through any suitable insulating or spacing means, as, for example, through short sections of glass tubing 46, and its free end brought around and welded or otherwise electrically connected with strip or wire 36 or pinched to the silver plated end of lead wire 3'1. The distance between the contacts is then adjusted, either by relative rotation between the parts or in the case of the embodiment of Fig. 3, by such rotation or by vary ing the extension of the looped portion of wire 31 as above described, and the tension of wire 20 is adjusted by means of the anchor wire 28. When the desired tension has been obtained, wire 28 is welded to the container and the extra length thereof cut oil. The container 2 is then welded to the base 4 to insure electrical contact therewith and to prevent relative movement therebetween. A suitable lid 48 is then secured over the portion of the container carrying the armature and bead 26. No cover is necessary for the rest of the device but preferably the space above the magnet is sealed with a suitable wax to protect the parts against jarring.

When the base 4 is inserted in the usual socket therefor and a potential difference applied across the terminal 50 and the base 4, current will flow through filament l6, lead wire 31, wire ll-2l and spring 22 to the container 2 and'base 4. This current" heats wire 20 and causes itto expand suiliciently to permit movement of the armature under influence of the spring 22 and of the attraction of magnet 12 into position to shunt resistance l8 and wire 20 as the'circuit is now completed through the armature and spring 22 to the container and base. With the shunting of the .wire 20, the wire cools and contracts and consequently reopens the contacts to again insert resistance I 8 and wire 20 into the circuit. This cycle of operations continues as long as a potential difference is applied across the terminals of the lamp base and with proper selection of the value of the resistance l8 any degree of alternate dimming and brightening of the light from filament l6 may be obtained. Preferably the value of resistance I8 is so chosen as to cause substantially no illumination of the lamp when the resistance is in series'with the filament thereof.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 differs from that of Figs. 1 and 2 only in the means for adjusting the tension of wire 20. These means, in Figs. 4 and 5, include a sleeve'52 of insulating material positioned within chamber 20 about a vertical metal pin or rod 54 secured to the bottom wall of the container. The sleeve 52 is provided with a passage 58 extending from the upper surface of the sleeve to a point on the cylindrical surface thereof. Wire 20 is wound for about one-half turn around the sleeve and is then threaded through passage 40 sleeve and to thereby maintain the desired tension.

' The invention has now been described with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof and alternative arrangements of individual elements thereof have been described. Itwill be apparent that various changes in the construction of the parts could be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Although the device has been illustrated as embodied in a combination flasher and bayonet type lamp, such as is ordinarily used for automobile lights, obviously the particular type of base for the lamp is immaterial to the invention.

Furthermore, althoughthe particular means herein illustrated and described for adjusting the tension of the controlling wire and the distance between contacts are intended for use during manufacture of the device, obviously these or "analogous means could be employed for the making of adjustments at any time during use of the device. For example, the anchor or support wire of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 need not be welded to the container but could be provided with means for varying its tension. Similarly, the rotation of the insulated sleeve of the embodiment of Figs. 4 and 5m vary the tension of the controlling wire could be effected externally of the container. i

It will be apparent from. the above description that the invention provides a relatively compact and easily assembled combination lamp and flasher that may be economically manufactured and that is positive in operation. Although oocomprisingin combination aiamp including acupying but a relatively small amount of space and being confined within anannula-r container carried by the lamp, the flasher elements include a permanent magnet and a spring biased armature which together'give a snap action 'to the opening and closing of the contacts, thus elimiating or substantially reducing sparking at the contacts and insuring flasher.

The following is claimed:

positive operation of the 1. In a device of theclass disclosed. thecom-' bination comprising a lamp having a base for insertion into a socket, a fllament'for the lamp connected to one terminal of the base and insulat'ed from the other terminal of the base, an

annular container positioned about said base and carried thereby, and means carried within said container and in electrical communication with said filament andwith said other terminal of the base for flashing said fllament when a potential difference is impressed across the terminals of said base.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said last mentioned means includes a pair of contacts, one electrically connectedto said filament and the other connected to a terminal of the base, the container including a magnet and an armature therefor and said last mentioned contact being integral with said armature. I

3. A combined incandescent lamp and flasher base and an incandescible filament, an annular container mounted on said a permanent magnet within said container, an armature for said magnet supported within said container and carrying an electrical contact, a fixed contact carried on said base but insulated therefrom and electrically connected with said filament, said fixed contact being positioned to be engaged by said armature carried contact when said annature is in attracted position and means including an expansible wire and a resistance connected across said contacts and in series with said filament across the terminals of said base for causing alternate closing and opening of 'said contacts when a potential difference is impressed across the terminals of said base.

4. A combined electric lamp and flasher there-. r

tact and said base and means includinga movable contact within said container and electrically connected thereto for intermittently shunting said resistor whena potential difference is impressed across said-terminal and base whereby said resistor is intermittently cut in and out of circuit with said filament.

5. The combined electric lamp and flasher ac-- cording to claim 4 wherein said last mentioned means includes means biasing said movable contact into position to engage said flxed contact and includes an expans'ible wire connected in series between said resistor and said movable contact, said biasing means operating to close said contacts upon expansion of said wire when heated by the passage of electric current therethrough, said wire when cold preventing such closure of the contacts. Y a

, 6. The combined electric lamp and flasher according to claim 4 wherein said last mentioned means includes a permanent magnet, an armature therefor integral with said movable contact and an expansible wire which when cold prevents movement of said armature to attracted position for engagement of said contacts, said wire and resistance being insulated from said container and connected in series across said contacts.

'1. The combination with an incandescent lamp having a fllament and base ofan annular container secured about said base, a permanent magnet and an armature therefor within said container, a pairof contacts within said container,

one electrically connected to said base and car- .ried by said armature and the other positioned in beengaged by the armature carried contact when the armature is in attracted position, said last mentioned contact being insulated from said base container for adjusting the tension of said 9. The combination according to claim 7 wherein said annular container is shaped to provide a semi-cylindrical chamber adjacent said armature and wherein a member of insulating material having a passage therein is secured in said chamber, said wire being threaded through the passage in said member to anchor the same, whereby the tension of said wire may be adjusted by rotation of said member in the container.

10. The combination with an incandescent lamp having a filament and base of an annular container secured about said base, a permanent magnet, and an armature therefor within said container, said armature being electrically connected with said base, a pair of lead wires for said filament, one of said wires being connected to the insulated terminal of said base and the other of said lead wires being insulated from said base and terminating within said container in a position to be engaged by said armature when in tacts, said biasing means comprising a resilient conducting member forming a part of the electrical connection between said armature carried contact and said base.

12. The combination according to claim '7 including means biasing said armature carried contact into position to engage the other of said contacts, said biasing means comprising a resilient conducting member forming a part of the electrical connection between said armature carried contact and said base, said biasing means being secured at one end to said container and connected at its other end to said expansible resistance wire.

13. The combination according to claim 7 including a resilient conducting strip biasing said armature carried contact into position to engage the other of said contacts, said strip being secured at one end to said container and connectedat its movable end to said expansible resistance wire, said armature being carried by and secured to the strip at a point remote from the movable end, said strip for a substantial length thereof being of a curved cross section, concave toward the armature whereby, upon expansion or contraction of said wire, said strip moves substantially throughout its length to cause positive closing or opening of said contacts.

JOSEPH SCHJKIDINGER.

CLYDE C. BOHNER. 

